RESIDENTS are invited to attend a free open day at a new flower farm.

Samantha Wood started up Bee Nice Blooms in Abbotsbury in late April and has since seen it go from strength to strength.

She has begun to develop a reputation for her flowers over the past three months, getting plenty of orders for special occasions and weddings.

Mrs Wood is now inviting the public into the farm on Sunday, August 15 from 10am-3pm as part of Flowers From The Farm's 'Flower Farmer's Big Weekend'.

She said: "I want to give people the opportunity to see where the flowers they buy in the supermarket are grown.

"The farm is coming along really nicely, everything is happening as organically as possible. It's something I've been looking into for a long time and I'm very much enjoying it.

"I've been a professional gardener for 20 years so I thought I'd put those skills to use. I wanted to do something closer to home so I decided to set up the flower farm."

British flowers are becoming more popular as a result of their sustainability. Exported flowers are often sprayed with chemicals and herbicides on their way into the country.

Mrs Wood explained: "When you buy your flowers from the supermarket, you have no idea how long they might have been in transit for and they are usually full of chemicals as they are sprayed when exported to protect our wildlife.

"This is why I believe British flowers are the way forward. They might not last as long as the supermarket flowers because they don't have any lasting chemicals but they're even more beautiful and smell incredible.

"That's what I'm passionate about, not using herbicides but growing flowers naturally."

The open day will be taking place at the farm at East Farm House, Rosemary Lane, Abbotsbury.

Entry is free and visitors are encouraged to park across the road in the main public car park.